Celebration of World Red Cross Day-2015 in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, May 8 , 2015 : Indian Red Cross Society , Odisha State Branch has organized the World Red Cross Day to commemorate the birthday of the great Philanthropist Sir Jean Henery Dunant. This year the Theme of World Red Cross Day was- Our Principles in Action.

To mark the celebration a Voluntary Blood Donation Camp was organized in collaboration with Vision India and 63 units of blood were collected. During the morning session a meeting was also organised, where the volunteers and life members shared their activity based on the principles of Red Cross.

In the evening the State level celebration of World Red Cross Day, was held at Jaydev Bhavan with Participation of the State Intelligentsia, Red Cross Members, Counselors, Volunteers and invitees in large numbers. Besides senior member from Govt., NGO’s, INGO’s, IAG Members, academia, Govt. Officials and media personals also attended the same.

The programme was inaugurated with a lamp lighting and by offering a floral tribute to sir. Jean Heneray Dunant by Dr. S.C. Jamir, Hon’ble Governor of Odisha and President IRCS-OSB as the Chief Guest.

Shri Debi Prasad Mishra, Hon’ble Minister, Industries, School & Mass Education and Chairman Junior Red Cross,Shri Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Hon’ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare, I & PR. and Chairman Working Committee of IRCS-OSB, Youth Red Cross, Prof. Asha Hans Lady Vice-President, IRCS-OSB, Dr.Chakaradhar Panda, Honorary Secretary, IRCS-OSB and Sri. Govinda Chandra Mahunta, Honorary Joint Secretary IRCS-OSB were present as Guests of Honour.

The meeting was started with a welcome address by Dr. Chakradhar Panda and briefly described the activities of Red Cross. Dr. Jamir in his address expressed that due to the seven Fundamental Principles of Red Cross, it has promoted mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all people.

By praising the efforts of Red Cross Sri Atanu Sabysachi Nayak said that “The incomparable efforts of Red Cross volunteers, and members those who are working towards mitigating human suffering and in areas like voluntary blood donation are praiseworthy. It requires more activities to fulfil the Blood requirement of State through voluntary blood donation.

Sri. Devi Prasad Mishra expressed that Odisha govt. will very soon take immediate steps to raise the membership of JRC and to strengthen the working mechanism of junior Red Cross.

On the occasion, awards and certificates were given to the Best Student of “SAHAYA”. As well as Aids and Appliances were also distributed to the persons with disabilities. The State level awards were given to the three best performing JRC activity district, three best performing Youth Red Cross units in colleges and trophies were also presented to three best performing YRC Counsellors and four best YRC volunteer.

The meeting was followed by a theme based cultural programme where Juniors and Youth Red Cross Volunteers, Students of SAHAYA–School of Special children’s & performed in the theme based Drama by the Red Cross Members were performed. The meeting was ended with a vote of thanks by Sri. Govinda Chanda Mahunta.